With apologies for the rather lengthy delay in sending the results of my research into putting Mobiles online to the list.
I hope the following is of some use.
Thanks to those of you who responded when I placed my original request.
I would also add that the technology available and the costs, particularly tariff and call charges, change very quickly.
The online options appear to be:
Mobile Phone Connection
This would potentially a full library management system and Internet service for staff and customers using whatever software the applications require.
Would require dialing into a Remote Access Server (RAS) on setting up at each stop, and possibly a setup where the phone link times out after a set period of inactivity but comes back to life automatically when required.
Somerset County Council Libraries demonstrated Internet access over a Mobile phone link at the Mobile Library Meet on 13th May 2000 their DS library management system was not ready for on-line system access at that time.
Equipment Implications:
Mobile Phone to required specification
New, dedicated Remote Access Server for connection to the library management server and Internet access.
Additional dataline required technical input required for line specification, but probably not high speed because of the limitations of the mobile phone, and at present ISDN lines seem to be the standard approach.
Connection equipment, e.g. Modem, hub and networking sockets required. GSM Phone cards are one of the options but these will only provide direct, single PC access, not access for two or more PCs. For two or more PCs there would have to be a modem to hub and then to PC network on the vehicle.
(NOTE: In Sutton we would have to consider weight implications as our vehicle is very close to its total load weight.)
Financial Implications:
The following figures are based both on quotes for our own system and those received from other authorities. Many may well have changed since I received them.
Possible Basic Software Cost for On-line Circulation Client - £400 annual maintenance £80.
Installation and training (1 days) @ c.£950 per day Total - £950
GSM Phone Card - £350 I have no cost for maintenance of modem, hub, etc.
Phone charges This is where the prices vary considerably depending on the phone plan used. The only example I have for a Mobile tariff is an Orange TalkPlan. At the time of quote (some months ago) this provided 5 hours on-line access over a five day period per month (7500 minutes of connect time). Monthly charge per phone £940. I have also been told of costs varying from £4,000 to £5,000 a year but these seem to have come down by about half or more and I'm waiting for some cost details from a colleague in another authority at the moment. I have not pursued specific tariffs and costs with our telecommunications officer yet as any decision as to whether we put the Mobile online hasn't got this far.
Remote Access Server and software costs from £3,750 and spare port for connection to the system for the RAS server
Dataline it is unlikely that the Mobile phone could use a 2MB line, but could use an ISDN line I have no costs available for this
Full Radio Connection
Should provide a full library management system and Internet access service for staff and customers but I have very little data on this option and I haven't pursued it as it would probably not be the one we would choose.
Equipment Implications:
Radio equipment at both ends I have no specific details or costs but it would still require a dedicated Remote Access Server for connection.
Financial Implications:
Similar application costs for the Mobile phone link but would, of course require the relevant radio receiving equipment on the vehicle.
Combined Radio/Phone Line Connection
Should provide a full library management system and Internet service for staff and customers.
Derbyshire use a system similar to this with the Mobile being linked by radio to a dedicated ISDN line housed in a building within line of sight of the Mobile Stop.
Equipment Implications:
Radio equipment at both ends I have no specific details or costs but it would still require a dedicated Remote Access Server for connection.
Financial Implications:
Similar application costs for the Mobile phone link but would, of course require the relevant radio receiving equipment on the vehicle and probably more than one ISDN line.
Financial Implications:
Similar equipment costs as before plus the radio equipment costs. In addition there would be costs for the ISDN line(s) and possible rental cost for housing the ISDN and radio receiver in a building
Lampost Phone Line Connection
Would provide a full library management system and Internet service for staff and customers.
Walsall use this system with partnership from BT to run ICT Centres. The vehicle has to be connected by cable to a post at the Mobile Stop via a standard dataline of whatever bandwidth is required.
I have no costs available for this option, again as there is little chance that Sutton would opt for this.
Graham Dash
Business Systems Manager
London Borough of Sutton
Libraries, Heritage & Registration Services
Central Library
St. Nicholas Way
Sutton
Surrey SM1 1EA
Tel.: 020 8770 4763
Fax: 020 8770 4777
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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